Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy: Phase 1 Topical Report West Flank of Coso, CA
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SANDIA REPORT SAND2016-8930 Printed September 2016 ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED FOR DOE REVIEW, April 2016 Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy: Phase 1 Topical Report West Flank of Coso, CA Douglas Blankenship, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 Kelly Blake1, Wendy Calvin2, Steve DeOreo3, James E. Faulds4, Jonathan Glen5, Stephen Hickman5, Nick Hinz4, Ole Kaven5, Mike Lazaro1, Jesse McCulloch3, David Meade1, Mack Kennedy6, Geoff Phelps5, Andrew Sabin1, Martin Schoenball5, Drew Silar6, Ann Robertson-Tait7, Colin Williams5 1U.S. Navy Geothermal Program Office, China Lake, 93555 2Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno 89557 3Coso Operating Company LLC, Coso Junction, 93542 4Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557 5U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 6Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 7GeothermEx/Schlumberger Prepared by Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-mission laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000. Issued by Sandia National Laboratories, operated for the United States Department of Energy by Sandia Corporation. NOTICE: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government, nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, nor any of their contractors, subcontractors, or their employees, make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represent that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, any agency thereof, or any of their contractors or subcontractors. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, any agency thereof, or any of their contractors. 2 SAND2016-8930 Printed September 2016 FOR DOE REVIEW Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy: Phase 1 Topical Report West Flank of Coso, CA Douglas Blankenship, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 Kelly Blake1, Wendy Calvin2, Steve DeOreo3, James E. Faulds4, Jonathan Glen5, Stephen Hickman5, Nick Hinz4, Ole Kaven5, Mike Lazaro1, Jesse McCulloch3, David Meade1, Mack Kennedy6, Geoff Phelps5, Andrew Sabin1, Martin Schoenball5, Drew Silar6, Ann Robertson-Tait7, Colin Williams5 1U.S. Navy Geothermal Program Office, China Lake, 93555 2Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno 89557 3Coso Operating Company LLC, Coso Junction, 93542 4Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557 5U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 6Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 7GeothermEx/Schlumberger Sandia National Laboratories P. O. Box 5800 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-MS1033 Further dissemination authorized to the Department of Energy and DOE contractors only; other requests shall be approved by the originating facility or higher DOE programmatic authority. 3 Page Intentionally Blank 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Overview of Phase 1 Activities ............................................................................................7 2. Results ..................................................................................................................................9 2.1. Geologic Model .......................................................................................................9 2.2. NEPA .....................................................................................................................11 2.3. Plan Development ..................................................................................................12 3. Lessons Learned.................................................................................................................15 4. Conclusion .........................................................................................................................17 Appendix A. Conceptual Geologic Model ............................................................................... 1-A Appendix B. Update on Characterization Data Uploaded to the GDR Data Archive...............1-B Appendix C. Environmental Information Synopsis ..................................................................1-C Appendix D. Updated Site Characterization Data Inventory ................................................... 1-D Appendix E. Updated Permitting Inventory.............................................................................. 1-E Appendix F. Data Dissemination and Intellectual Property Plan ............................................. 1-F Appendix G. Communications and Outreach Plan ................................................................... 1-G Appendix H. Stakeholder Engagement Status Update ............................................................. 1-H Appendix I. Sample and Core Curation Plan ............................................................................ 1-I Appendix J. Preliminary Induced Seismicity Mitigation Plan .................................................. 1-J Appendix K. Environmental Safety and Health Plan ............................................................... 1-K Appendix L. Research and Development Implementation Plan ............................................... 1-L 5 Page Intentionally Blank 6 1. OVERVIEW OF PHASE 1 ACTIVITIES The Department of Energy (DOE) Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) is to be a dedicated site where the subsurface scientific and engineering community can develop, test, and improve technologies and techniques for the creation of cost-effective and sustainable enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) in a controlled, ideal environment. The establishment of FORGE will facilitate development of an understanding of the key mechanisms controlling a successful EGS. Execution of FORGE is occurring in three phases with five distinct sub-phases (1, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3). This report focuses on Phase 1 activities. During Phase 1, critical technical and logistical tasks necessary to demonstrate the viability of the West Flank FORGE Project site were completed and the commitment and capability of the West Flank FORGE team to execute FORGE was demonstrated. As part of Phase 1, the West Flank FORGE Team provided an assessment of available relevant data and integrated these geologic and geophysical data to develop a conceptual 3-D geologic model of the proposed test location. Additionally, the team prepared relevant operational plans for full FORGE implementation, provided relevant site data to the science and engineering community, engaged in outreach and communications with interested stakeholders, and performed a review of the environmental and permitting activities needed to allow FORGE to progress through Phase 3. The results of these activities are provided as Appendices to this report. The West Flank FORGE Team is diverse, with deep roots in geothermal science and engineering. The institutions and key personnel that comprise the West Flank FORGE Team provide a breadth of geoscience and geoengineering capabilities, a strong and productive history in geothermal research and applications, and the capability and experience to manage projects with the complexity anticipated for FORGE. West Flank FORGE Team members include the U.S. Navy, Coso Operating Company, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), GeothermEx/Schlumberger (GeothermEx), and Itasca Consulting Group (Itasca). The site owners (through direct land management or via applicable permits)—the U.S. Navy and Coso Operating Company—are deeply committed to expanding the development of geothermal resources and are fully supportive of FORGE operations taking place on their lands. 7 Page Intentionally Blank 8 2. RESULTS 2.1. Geologic Model The proposed West Flank FORGE project site is within the <1.0 Ma Coso Volcanic Field (CVF) in eastern California. It occupies about 1,100 acres of the North Ranges of the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake. Located entirely within the fence line of a Navy research and development facility, the West Flank site is adjacent the Coso geothermal field. COC maintains this 24x7 geothermal operation with highly skilled maintenance and operations crews. COC has a skilled workforce with the hardware and infrastructure to service and support circumstances that might arise during the course of this project. The proximity of COC to the West Flank FORGE site is a valuable asset contributing to the success of the proposed FORGE project. The main COC facilities are less than 4 km to the east of the eastern margin of the West Flank. COC’s other office facilities are 11 km to the west outside of the NAWS China Lake gate along the access road. Even with temporary trailers, phones, and Internet connectivity